Hi, I had a Lumpectomy and Sentinel node removal on 12th July, I was very bruised and in a lot of pain but at my wound check told all was ok so I just thought this must be normal and I am being a wimp and to get on with it. At my results meeting with the Consultant on the 27th July I was told that they hadn't taken a big enough clear margin around the cancer so I needed more surgery but thankfully the lymph nodes were clear, we are talking 0.3mm here but if I didn't have more tissue removed then 'aggressive radiotherapy' would be needed, there was a space on the list for the following day so I agreed to the surgery but was not examined. I was a bit upset afterwards as never expected to hear this and my assigned Breast Care Nurse happened to see me and took me into a side room for a chat, I told her I was concerned as my breast was very bruised and hard and painful and she said it was still the radioactive blue dye from the initial surgery causing the discolouration which again made me feel I was being a baby. At no point then, or when I was admitted, did anyone examine my breast and the surgeon just marked my shoulder
After the surgery I realised I was actually pain free, another Doctor came to see me when I was back on the unit and told me he has assisted with the operation and said that the procedure had been a success and they had taken the tissue needed but that I also had a large haematoma which they had cleared out. My breast is far less painful this time around and there doesn't seem to be a bleed BUT why wasn't i listened to and why didn't anyone check? I could have ended up with an infection and potentially really ill, or at least a much longer recovery time and would the radiotherapy planned had been effective with a haematoma there?
So in the end the second surgery was a blessing in disguise but I feel as though I wasn't listened to and frankly just another breast on the conveyer belt! I realise now I need to shout out and demand to be listened to, also the promised after care hasn't materialised and the BCN although very nice has not once been in touch to see if I am ok was that expecting too much? What is their role if not to provide that support? if it hadn't been for this forum and others sharing I think I would just still be left floundering and not knowing what to expect so thank you to all who participate and share
I feel better for sounding off now - thank you to anyone who took the time to read my tirade! hope everyone else is doing ok and have a good day today and get a bit of sunshine on our faces!
